A six-year-old boy has died in hospital after being found unresponsive in a neighbour's pool in Perth's southern suburbs just over an hour after he was reported missing by his parents.
The boy, named Joey, was last seen by his family on Riseley Street in Booragoon about 4:00pm yesterday.
He was reported missing after his family was unable to find him, with a search launched by authorities. Local residents were urged to check their gardens and any outbuildings.
Police said Joey was found about 5:25pm unresponsive in a swimming pool in the backyard of a nearby property.
Officers provided emergency first aid before St John Ambulance paramedics arrived and took over.
Joey was taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital but later died.
His death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the state coroner.
Steven Vines, who identified himself on Facebook as Joey’s father, said life would never be the same following his son's death.
He described the six-year-old as autistic and non-verbal and said he was a "special special" boy who melted everyone he met.
WA Premier Mark McGowan offered his condolences to the boy's family.
"Obviously a shocking thing and we were all hoping for the best, but it didn't turn out that way. So can I pass on all our thoughts to little Joey's family," he said.
Police said yesterday they believed Joey was not wearing any clothes at the time he went missing.
They also said he might have had difficulty communicating with strangers.
